Lauren's Baptism Sunday (9/12/10)!

I know this is not a direct story about the adoption. But this does have a whole lot to do with it.


Lauren was baptized today at church!!! Last night was better than any night before Christmas, as she has been so excited for this day for months.

My beautiful girls!!!

Back in the spring, Lauren came to Jenn to let her know that she was ready to receive Christ into her life. As Jenn and I discussed it, we thought she was so young, and if it was “real”, or if we just needed to explain a few more things to her. (Obviously she knew the answer…..and just waited for us to get there.) After 3-4 weeks of persistence, we were in a quandary on what to do. Jeff, a good friend at work, reminded me that it was obvious that Jesus already had her heart, He was just waiting on us to confirm in our words. WOW! He was right, and we needed to consider what HE wanted to do with her heart. So one Friday night, she and Jenn prayed to receive Christ as her Lord and Savior!

That then led to more persistence of wanting to make her public profession by being baptized with water. Our children’s pastor, Mr. Marty, at our church, Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood, was great to sit with Lauren to walk through her experience and to explain the baptism experience. These talks made today so special, as he really helped Lauren understand her role in this, and that she was letting others know of this decision to let Jesus lead her in her life going forward.

This morning, I had the opportunity to share her walk of faith with the church before baptizing her. Her role in getting WeiWei home is so pivotal to this story. You see? Lauren has diligently and fervently prayed to receive a little sister for 2 years of this process. When her dad would forget to pray for her “baby sister” she was quick to remind me to continue to seek for her sister. She never lost hope that she would get a sister soon….and she taught her dad not to lose hope either. It was neat to express to the church body today, and it was so awesome to lower her body into the water (symbolizing that she was burying her spiritual death) and to raise her from this into her new life (with the water representing the cleansing spirit of her Savior). It was an awesome moment for me and Jenn , and I done few things that are cooler than this today.

I look forward to more opportunities like this!

John 11:40!
His servant,
Mark